1950s Hair and Makeup

Updated on July 16, 2012

Alas our men return!

All around the world men were returning from war and once again this significant event translated into the role of woman changing. While the men were away we found ourselves out in the work world holding down the fort so to speak. Simplicity and functionality were an essential part of our beauty regimen. In the 50s beauty and fashion took center stage and we could spend more time in this venture. Femininity and attracting a man become the focus. For woman who already had a man, emulating the quintessential glamour wives such as Lucille Ball became fashionable. And for those of us who needed help Anne Fogarty wrote the book Wife Dressing.

The look of the forties was a slim figure with padded shoulders to give the appearance of strength and competence. The fifties look was feminine accentuating (even exaggerating) a woman's curves. Fifties hair was soft and curly and shorter than the forties. The look was achieved with pin curls, rollers and hair spray. Straight and long were out, ponytails were in. Makeup consisted of a peaches and cream canvas, lips were pink or red, eyeliner was worn at night and mascara continues to be popular. Eyelids were plucked thin and high as if to give an exaggerated look of innocence and naivete, Shades of eye shadow in blues and greens made an appearance, at night reaching beyond the lid.

As always or favorite escape (the silver screen) helped to define what would be popular through its sirens of the day such as Marilyn Monroe, LIz Taylor and Sandra Dee.

Comments 10 comments

I love the style of your hubs...so simple but informative! Yes, I love the glamorous style of the 50's also. Such a period of teen style..I love it!

Devil Queen 7 years ago

Everything was cool in the 15's!

And Beautiful!

Devil Queen 7 years ago

Everything funky, cool and beautiful in the 50's is what I was ment to say!

Devil Queen 7 years ago

What are hubs they sound like a type of bug!

Lani 6 years ago

The make-up styles look beautiful here

katy 5 years ago

I love the 50s and around those times. (well.. basically anything around the 50s and before) Woman were very feminine. Nowadays most woman are seen wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

MMadrid 5 years ago

I wish they would bring the 50's look back, it was so beautiful and feminine, I think women have lost that, it was sexy but respectful...I would love to see them bring this back..I shop the thrift stores for this style and style my hair in big soft curls or boufonts with a long curl, my eyeliner and mascara..my husband loves it

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Great resources on the web for creating that 1950s look!

Fashion in the 50s - The Three Staples of 1950s Vint...The fashion of the 1950s represented a revolution from the austeric, militaristic fashion of the 1940s. Designers, like Christian Dior, pushed the envelope catapulting women's fashion into a fun, hip, and chic era that still heavily influences today'

Fashion History - Jeans and DungareesJeans are the iconic garment of American anti-fashion, popular for over 100 years. But the fabric we call denim, and the durable trousers made of it go back a long way. From the 16th century to today, jeans are sturdy work pants as well as an off and

Fashions of the Fifties - Retro Hairstyles and Makeupf a picture is worth a thousand words, then the ladies above say it all. Fifties hairstyles were soft and curly. Straight hair was out. Short hair was in.
Young women often tied their hair back in a ponytail and circled it with a pretty chiffon scar

Anne FogartyIf you adore her, you must adorn her. There lies the secret of a happy marriageAnne Fogarty from Wife DressingAnne Whitney Fogarty designed the American look, creating clothes that were youthful, simple and stylish. Although Fogarty studied drama at

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